Ultimate Guide to Umbrella Care and Maintenance.
Take preventative action to ensure your umbrella doesn’t smell of fish!
Umbrella care is essential to ensure its longevity and reliability. Whether it’s shielding you from the relentless downpours of winter or providing much-needed shade during the scorching summer months, a well-maintained umbrella can be a trusty companion year-round. In this blog, we’ve gathered a collection of practical hints and tips to help you keep your umbrella in top condition. From proper storage techniques to cleaning methods and repair advice, our guide will equip you with everything you need to extend the life of your umbrella.
Why does my umbrella smell of fish?
If your umbrella smells of “old fish,” it could be due to a few common causes:
- Mould or Mildew Growth
- Umbrellas get wet, and if they’re stored while still damp, they can develop mould or mildew, which can produce a musty, fishy smell.
- Solution:
- Fully open the umbrella and let it air dry in a well-ventilated area, preferably in direct sunlight, which can help kill mould spores.
- Clean the umbrella using a mixture of water and white vinegar or baking soda to neutralise odours.
- Material or Coating Degradation
- Some umbrellas are made with synthetic fabrics or coatings (like polyurethane or vinyl) that can emit a fishy odour as they degrade, especially if exposed to heat, moisture, or prolonged storage.
- Solution:
- Wash the fabric gently with soapy water to see if it removes the smell.
- If the smell persists, it may be time to replace the umbrella.
- Storage Contamination
- If the umbrella was stored near items with strong odours (e.g., certain foods, chemicals, or cleaning products), it could have absorbed the smell.
- Solution:
- Wipe down the umbrella with a fabric-safe deodorizing cleaner.
- Store it in a dry, odour-free location going forward.
- Water Source Contamination
- If the umbrella was exposed to water from a source with bacteria or organic material (e.g., puddles, rain with pollution), it could leave behind a fishy smell as the water dries.
- Solution:
- Rinse the umbrella thoroughly with clean water and a mild detergent, then dry it completely before storing.
Umbrella care requires cleaning your umbrella will keep it in tip-top condition
Umbrella Canopy Clean
To keep the canopy of your umbrella looking fresh, start by using a soft brush to remove any loose dirt, dust, or debris. For a more thorough clean, mix a mild eco-friendly detergent with lukewarm water. Gently scrub the canopy with a soft-bristled brush, paying special attention to any particularly dirty areas. After scrubbing, rinse the canopy thoroughly with a hose to remove all soap residue. Make sure to let the umbrella air dry completely in an open position before closing it to prevent mould and mildew from forming.
Umbrella Frame Cleanse
The frame of the umbrella can also accumulate dirt and grime. Umbrella care requires wiping it down with a damp cloth regularly. For metal frames, a mixture of dishwashing liquid and water works well to remove any build up. For wooden frames, use a mild dish detergent and water solution, being careful not to soak the wood.
Stain Removal on Umbrella Panels
Stubborn stains, such as mildew or tree sap, can be more challenging to remove. Create a cleaning solution by mixing one cup of laundry liquid and a quarter cup of mild detergent in a gallon of water. Apply this solution to the stained areas and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Then, gently scrub the stains with a soft brush and rinse thoroughly with water. Ensure the umbrella is completely dry before storing it.
Drying Your Umbrella Properly
After cleaning or using your umbrella in the rain, it’s crucial to let it dry fully before closing it. This helps prevent mould and mildew, which can damage the fabric and create unpleasant odours. Open the umbrella and place it in a sunny, airy location to dry. If you’re in a hurry, you can also use a towel to blot away excess moisture, but make sure it’s completely dry before closing.
Off-Season Umbrella Storage For Umbrella Protection
When the rainy season is over, or if you won’t be using your umbrella for an extended period, proper storage is essential. Start by cleaning the umbrella thoroughly and ensuring it is completely dry. Store the umbrella in a protective cover to keep it free from dust and dirt. If possible, store it in a cool, dry place to avoid any damage from moisture or extreme temperatures. Avoid storing the umbrella in a tightly closed position for long periods, as this can cause the fabric to crease or the frame to warp.
Maintenance Of Your Umbrella – Lubrication of your Umbrella Ribs or Telescopic Folding Frame
To keep your umbrella functioning smoothly, regularly check the joints and moving parts to ensure your umbrella care is tip top. Lightly lubricate these areas with a silicone spray or a small amount of oil. This helps prevent rust and ensures that the umbrella opens and closes easily. Be careful not to over-lubricate, as excess oil can attract dirt and grime.
Umbrella Care Includes Inspection
Periodically inspect your umbrella for any signs of wear and tear. For ultimate umbrella care, check the canopy for holes, tears, or frayed edges. Examine the frame for any bent or broken parts. If you notice any issues, address them promptly to prevent further damage. Small tears in the canopy can often be repaired with fabric glue or patches, while bent frame parts may need professional repair or replacement.
By following these detailed care and maintenance tips, you can ensure that your umbrella remains in excellent condition, providing reliable protection and looking great for many seasons to come.
In conclusion, taking the time to care for your umbrella can significantly extend its lifespan and ensure it remains a reliable accessory through all seasons. By following the tips and advice we’ve shared, you’ll be able to keep your umbrella in excellent condition, ready to protect you from the elements whenever you need it. Remember, a little maintenance goes a long way in preserving the functionality and appearance of your umbrella. So, invest a bit of effort into its upkeep, and you’ll enjoy many more rainy days and sunny afternoons with your trusty umbrella by your side.
Who are The Umbrella Workshop
The Umbrella Workshop are the UK’s leading umbrella specialist suppliers and manufacturers of made to order umbrellas. Established in 2010, we are trusted by global brands and offer a 2 year guarantee on all our umbrella models.
Offering detailed customisation options and exceptional premium quality from only 100 units, we also work at scale and supply large quantities within tight timeframes. Our factories are carefully and regularly audited for social and environmental standards that are monitored and rigorously reviewed.
Find out more about our Environmental Sustainable Umbrella Manufacture.
Contact us for a quote for corporate umbrellas, promotional umbrellas and client gifting. We also manufacture great employee engagement program merchandise, custom metalwork and bespoke bags. Get in touch and find out more about what we can do for you.
Other umbrellas you may be interested in include this stained glass window print on the inside of the umbrella panels, this umbrella we manufactured for Sky TV, printed umbrella sleeves and carry cases or perhaps what the parts of the umbrella are called.
5 Creative and Unexpected Uses for Your Umbrella
We take umbrellas for granted as handy accessories that protect us from the rain (especially in the UK), but we rarely think about them when we aren’t hurriedly searching through a bag to find one or kicking ourselves for forgetting one.
However, the humble umbrella has a very long and noble history. The word ‘umbrella’ comes from the Latin root ‘umbra’, which means shade or shadow, and there is evidence that they were in use more than 4,000 years ago in civilisations as far apart as China, Greece, Egypt, and Assyria. The Chinese were the first people to wax or lacquer paper umbrellas to use them in the rain, and they started to become popular in the western world during the 16th and 17th centuries, especially as protection from the damp climates of northern Europe with which we are still so familiar.
Interesting fact about umbrellas on the London Underground
Umbrellas are fascinating objects that we tend to use and lose with careless abandon – more than 10,000 are mislaid each year on the London Underground alone.
At Umbrella Workshop, we think it’s high time we start thinking differently about umbrellas and how they can be a bigger part of our lives, rather than just an afterthought that we only think about when it starts to rain. Here then, are our Top 5 Unexpected Uses For An Umbrella.
So here they are: 5 Creative and Unexpected Uses for Your Umbrella
1. Use An Umbrella As A Sun Shade
Number 1 in our Top 5 Unexpected Uses For An Umbrella, is the umbrella as a sun shade. The original use for an umbrella was as a sunshade, rather than as protection from wet weather. Ancient Egyptians constructed shades from feathers, palm fronds, and stretched papyrus, which were attached to chariots or held over the heads of royalty by servants.
Noblewomen in ancient Greece had female slaves carry parasols to protect them from the hot Mediterranean sun, but also as fashion accessories too.
Using your umbrella as protection from the sun is an excellent idea, especially if you’re in an area that doesn’t offer shade from trees or buildings, such as at the beach or in open countryside. As well as stopping you from getting too hot, staying in the shade helps to prevent you from getting sunburn, which isn’t only extremely uncomfortable but can lead to very serious conditions such as skin cancer.
Not to be limited to the protection of humans – plants also benefit from the protection of umbrellas a sun shades.
While a colourful umbrella or a white umbrella, might feel like a more summery choice, a black one is actually best as it absorbs the heat and keeps you and plants, cool beneath it.
Photo by Tsuyoshi Kozu on Unsplash
2. Using an Umbrella as a Decoration
As well as having many practical uses, umbrellas are also aesthetically pleasing and therefore ideal for decorating a space. They are especially useful for decorating big events, such as parties and wedding venues, due to their eye-catching appearance. A large number of umbrellas hung from the ceiling have a dramatic effect, especially if you use a series of vibrant colours or designs.
Umbrellas are also particularly useful for decorating outside events, because, by their very nature, they are sturdily built for outdoor use, and won’t be ruined by wet weather. Hung from trees or suspended on wires above a street or courtyard, they look fantastic, are super practical, and can be used again and again. Coming in at number 2 in our Top 5 Unexpected Uses For An Umbrella, we love these umbrellas with LED lights inside, used to light up a wintery night sky in a city.
Photo by Stephanie LeBlanc on Unsplash
3. Using an Umbrella as Part of a DIY Photography Studio
If you have ever been in a photography studio, you will probably have seen an umbrella in use as part of the photographer’s equipment. Umbrellas help photographers to create professionally lit images by diffusing light and giving it a softer effect. Instead of allowing light to focus directly on a subject, an umbrella bounces the light off in different directions. This results in a clearer image with softer shadows, or no shadow at all.
A white umbrella is the best choice for achieving a softer glow when taking photos indoors. The light source should be directed through the umbrella, which disperses the light and gets rid of dark, harsh shadows on or created by the subject. A black/silver umbrella (black on the outside/silver on the inside) brightens a subject and is usually used outdoors.
You can use any white umbrella for photography, but a black/silver one will have to be purchased from a specialist photography shop.
Photo by Visual Education
4. Turning an Umbrella into a Kite
Few things appear more useless than a broken umbrella. It’s estimated that more than 1 billion umbrellas are thrown away each year, which is a terrible waste of the planet’s resources. Not one of our umbrellas of course, they last a lifetime and won’t let you down.
But what can be done with a broken umbrella beyond flinging it in the bin?
Well, you just need to use a bit of creative thinking to find ideas for using your umbrella beyond its original purpose. One such ingenious idea is to turn it into an impressive and incredibly aerodynamic Delta kite.
Using materials that can easily be gathered from around your home or cheaply purchased, including a bent bicycle wheel, string, elastic bands, aluminium pipes, and, of course, your broken umbrella, you can follow these simple instructions to turn it into an amazing flying machine. With a bit of DIY, you’ll be soaring your recycled umbrella in the wind like a modern-day Mary Poppins (although let’s hope you keep your feet firmly on the ground).
We love this entry into our Top 5 Unexpected Uses For An Umbrella because it sits well with how we feel about protecting the environment. We build umbrellas to last, but if you find one on the London Underground or cast away with a broken rib then be sure to find other bits of equipment to make yourself an umbrella kite!
Photo by Denin Williams on Unsplash
5. Make a Garden Umbrella Planter
If your enthusiasm is a little more earthbound, your old umbrellas can also be used to spruce up your garden. Place an upturned, open umbrella on the ground and fill it with soil, ideally a type that drains well and isn’t prone to puddling or pooling. In the soil, plant varieties of annual flowers that don’t require lots of root depth, such as sedum, petunias, geraniums, marigolds, or begonias, then wait for them to bloom.
Umbrella garden planters are perfect for people with small outdoor spaces or those living somewhere temporarily, as they’re very easy to set up and take away, and don’t require garden beds. Using brightly coloured umbrellas that complement the hues of your flowers can create a beautiful and vibrant garden quickly and cheaply.
Photo: Pinterest
And one more unexpected use of an umbrella, for good measure – An umbrella for Passive Resistance & Active Defence.
Of course, this isn’t a definitive list, and umbrellas have seen many other uses throughout history. One such use in modern times that has really seen the umbrella become a symbol of resistance is the usage of umbrellas in the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests. Seen as a symbol of protection and shelter, the thousands of umbrellas we’ve seen on our screens, as Hong Kong endured months of protest, have seen the umbrella become the defining symbol of the movement and a powerful symbol of resistance to anti-democratic rule.
Photo: photos submitted to the BBC by Kacey Wong by (L-R) Sunny Yuen, Carol Chan, Andrew Wong, Lily Cheung, Chun Man and Angelo Costadimas.
Another addition to Top 5 Unexpected Uses For An Umbrella
Umbrellas aren’t just symbolic forms of resistance either, as the French Presidential Protection Unit will very well know. These highly trained personnel all carry a Para Pactum umbrella which is a custom-made protection device that can withstand thrown heavy objects, knife attacks, and be used for crowd control. Oh, and it’s also useful for keeping you dry in the rain as well.
On a more practical note and closer to home, the umbrella can present a multitude of uses. Thinking outside of the box can breathe new life into an umbrella, whether it’s been bashed to bits by the wind, or you have lost and found so many of them that you have lots of spares on your hands. If you start thinking about your umbrella as something other than a device to keep you dry, you’ll soon find ways to use it all the time instead of just saving it for a rainy day.
If you’ve enjoyed reading this, you might also be interested in 5 Unusual Ways To Use An Umbrella. We’ve also put together Personalised Umbrellas For Outdoor Events, A Great Tool For Pantone Matching.
Who are The Umbrella Workshop
The Umbrella Workshop are the UK’s leading umbrella specialist suppliers and manufacturers of made to order umbrellas. Established in 2010, we are trusted by global brands and offer a 2 year guarantee on all our umbrella models.
Offering detailed customisation options and exceptional premium quality from only 100 units, we also work at scale and supply large quantities within tight timeframes. Our factories are carefully and regularly audited for social and environmental standards that are monitored and rigorously reviewed.
Find out more about our Environmental Sustainable Umbrella Manufacture.
Contact us for a quote for corporate umbrellas, promotional umbrellas and client gifting.
Unveiling 8 Fascinating Umbrella Myths and Superstitions
We’re interested in anything umbrella related and loved learning these umbrella related myths and superstitions! See what you think of what made it into our 8 Fascinating Myths and Superstitions interesting umbrella-related myths and superstitions. We’re sure about point number 4! You should always carry an umbrella with you.
Photo by Hooman R. on Unsplash
8 Fascinating Umbrella Myths and Superstitions
1. Opening an Umbrella Indoors
Myth: Opening an umbrella indoors brings bad luck.
Origin: This superstition dates back to ancient Egypt, where umbrellas were used to protect people from the sun. Opening one indoors was seen as an insult to the sun god, Ra, and was believed to bring misfortune.
2. Umbrella on Furniture
Myth: Placing an umbrella on a bed or any furniture invites bad luck or illness.
Origin: This belief is rooted in the idea that an umbrella, which protects against the elements, should not be brought into the home where it might disrupt the protective spirits.
3. Falling Umbrella
Myth: If an umbrella falls to the ground, it signifies bad luck or trouble at work.
Origin: This superstition suggests that a fallen umbrella is a sign of impending difficulties, and to avoid bad luck, someone else should pick it up for you.
Branded Walking umbrella – no reflective lining
4. Rain Prediction
Myth: Carrying an umbrella will prevent it from raining, while leaving it behind guarantees a downpour.
Origin: This is more of a humorous observation than a true superstition, often referred to as Murphy’s Law applied to weather.
5. Wedding Umbrella
Myth: Getting married under an umbrella brings good luck to the couple.
Origin: The umbrella symbolises shelter and protection, which is believed to extend to the newlyweds, ensuring a happy and secure marriage.
Adding to our fascinating myths & superstitions, are urban legends relating to umbrellas
6. Kasa-obake (Japan)
Legend: In Japanese folklore, the Kasa-obake is a type of yokai (supernatural creature) that takes the form of an umbrella. It is often depicted with one eye, a long tongue, and a single leg. According to the legend, old umbrellas that have been neglected or discarded can transform into these mischievous spirits.
Behaviour: The Kasa-obake is known to hop around on its single leg, surprising and sometimes scaring people. While generally harmless, it embodies the belief that even everyday objects can possess a spirit if they are old enough.
7. The Umbrella Man (United States)
Legend: This urban legend tells of a mysterious figure known as the Umbrella Man, who appears during thunderstorms. He is said to carry a black umbrella and offer it to people caught in the rain. Those who accept his offer are never seen again.
Origin: The story varies by region, but it often serves as a cautionary tale about accepting help from strangers. The Umbrella Man is sometimes linked to other urban legends about mysterious disappearances.
These legends add a layer of mystery and intrigue to the otherwise mundane object of an umbrella. Do you have any favorite urban legends or myths? We’d love to hear them and add them to our list. Email us info@wurlin.com
If you liked these myths and legends, you might be interested in the history of the umbrella, how umbrellas have been used in TV and film or how umbrellas help with employee engagement.
8. The Ghost Umbrella (China)
In Chinese folklore, there’s a tale of the Ghost Umbrella. It’s said that during the Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, spirits of the deceased return to the world of the living. On this day, it’s believed that if you see an umbrella lying on the ground, you should never pick it up. The legend goes that these umbrellas are used by spirits to shield themselves from the sun as they wander the earth. If a living person were to pick up one of these umbrellas, they would inadvertently invite the spirit to follow them home, leading to a series of unfortunate events.
This superstition is deeply rooted in the belief that umbrellas can act as a bridge between the world of the living and the dead. The umbrella, with its circular shape, is seen as a symbol of the cycle of life and death, and opening one indoors is thought to disrupt the balance between the two realms.
It’s a fascinating example of how everyday objects can take on a deeper, symbolic meaning in different cultures. The Ghost Umbrella legend serves as a reminder of the respect for the deceased and the thin veil that separates the living from the spirit world during certain times of the year.
Who are The Umbrella Workshop
The Umbrella Workshop are the UK’s leading umbrella specialist suppliers and manufacturers of made to order umbrellas. Established in 2010, we are trusted by global brands and offer a 2 year guarantee on all of our umbrella models.
Offering detailed customisation options and exceptional premium quality from only 100 units, we also work at scale and supply large quantities within tight timeframes. Our factories are carefully and regularly audited for social and environmental standards that are monitored and rigorously reviewed.
Find out more about our Environmental Sustainable Umbrella Manufacture.
Contact us for a quote for corporate umbrellas, promotional umbrellas and client gifting.